Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (2024)

Published: . Modified: by Arika | FoodCourage·This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. · 4 Comments

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe

Chicken Marsala is a classic recipe and comforting meal effortlessly made Paleo/AIP/Whole30 compliant. This easy chicken marsala recipe is relatively quick and great for simple weeknight meals.

For the sake of simplicity, I used balsamic vinegar and broth rather than Marsala wine for the sauce.

I made this recipe several different times testing the sauce in different ways. One of the versions had a lot more balsamic vinegar in it and my husband absolutely loved that one. I felt it was a little too vinegary and prone to burning so I brought the vinegar level waaay down in this recipe for a milder flavor.

However, I'm mentioning this because you may find that you want to add a little more balsamic vinegar to this recipe for extra tang. That's totally fine- adjust it to your taste.

If you're wanting more chicken recipe ideas, check out my AIP Chicken Recipes post which has over 130 recipes.

**Just a quick heads up- this post contains affiliate links which means if you click on them and buy something, I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) to help continue maintaining this site.

Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (1)

Chicken Marsala Ingredients:

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts- Try to go with organic if possible. Make sure the cut the chicken breasts horizontally to form thin cutlets (or just buy cutlets).
  • Tapioca Starch or Arrowroot Starch- Either of these is fine. These will coat the chicken before you cook it, which will give you a thin crunchy breading. The arrowroot starch can also be used for an optional thickener at the end of the cooking process.
  • Garlic Powder- This gives the chicken a well-rounded flavor. It will be added the arrowroot starch with the garlic powder and sea salt.
  • Sea Salt- Any sea salt is fine- I like pink Himalayan sea salt. Try to use a fine-grain salt.
  • Olive Oil- Avocado oil also works well.
  • Baby Bella Mushrooms- If you can't find baby bellas just use regular mushrooms, preferably fresh.
  • Balsamic Vinegar- Sherry Vinegar would also work.
  • Chicken Broth or Vegetable broth

Tips

Be sure to dry off the chicken before dredging it in the flour mixture

Allow the sauce to simmer long enough to reduce by about half

A Note About Cooking Wine and the AIP Diet

Technically it's fine to use wine in cooking on the AIP diet as long as it gets cooked off. I chose not to use Marsala wine in this recipe mainly because:

1) People seem to shy away from using any alcohol on AIP (even though it's allowed in cooking)

2) Marsala wine isn't something everyone has sitting in their pantry.

Balsamic is fairly mainstream and easy to find, which makes for an easier recipe.

Storage

Leftovers will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. This will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just store it in a tightly sealed container.

Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (2)

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

Lemon Chicken Piccata

Moroccan Chicken Stew

Easy Chicken Florentine

Chicken Kelaguen

AIP Coconut Chicken Nuggets

Conclusion:

I hope you found this post useful. If you tried this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know what you thought!

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram@foodcouragefor the latest AIP/Paleo recipes, autoimmune nutrition info, and Food Courage happenings!

This post is shared on the Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable.

If you liked this post, please share it!

Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (3)

Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (4)

Chicken Marsala

Arika | FoodCourage

This flavorful chicken marsala consists of lightly breaded chicken breasts, a tangy marsala sauce, and sauteed baby bella mushrooms. It's quick and simple, plus AIP, Paleo, and Whole30 compliant.

5 from 3 votes

Print RecipePin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 408 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), cut in half horizontally to form 4 thin cutlets
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot starch or tapioca starch (divided)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt (divided)
  • 3-4 tbsp olive oil (divided)
  • 8 oz baby bella mushrooms (2.5 cups), fresh, sliced
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, make sure they're AIP compliant
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk

Optional Thickener

  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tsp arrowroot starch or tapioca starch

Instructions

  • Pat the chicken cutlets dry with paper towels. Mix the arrowroot starch, 1/2 tsp of the sea salt, and garlic powder on a plate. Dredge the chicken in the mixture and cover front and back. Shake off the excess and place the chicken on a clean plate.

  • Heat about 2 tbsp of oil in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat and. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side (or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit).

  • Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pan and place it on a clean plate.

  • In the same pan using the drippings from the chicken, heat another 1-2 tbsp of oil, then add the mushrooms. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, then add the minced garlic. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

  • Turn the heat down to medium. Add the broth, vinegar, coconut milk, remaining 1/2 tsp of salt, and fresh thyme. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until the mixture reduces by about half.

  • *Optional: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp of cold water with 1/2 tsp of arrowroot starch (or tapioca starch) and add the mixture to the pan. Stir it in and allow it to simmer for a couple minutes longer to thicken.

  • Return the chicken back to the pan with the sauce to heat it. Spoon the sauce over the chicken. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more. Then remove from heat.

  • Serve the chicken with sauce and mushrooms spooned over the top. Garnish with a little more fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

Storage: Leftovers will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. This will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just store it in a tightly sealed container.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Marsala

Serving Size

1 chicken breast

Amount per Serving

Calories

408

% Daily Value*

Fat

22

g

34

%

Saturated Fat

8

g

50

%

Trans Fat

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

9

g

Cholesterol

109

mg

36

%

Potassium

1040

mg

30

%

Carbohydrates

14

g

5

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

2

g

2

%

Protein

40

g

80

%

Vitamin A

99

IU

2

%

Vitamin C

4

mg

5

%

Calcium

38

mg

4

%

Iron

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword balsamic chicken, chicken marsala

Did you make this recipe?Mention @foodcourage or tag #foodcourage on Instagram!

« Olive Tapenade Recipe (Paleo, AIP, Whole30, Vegan)

AIP Ranch Dressing Recipe (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mike says

    Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (5)
    Tried this out and it was a really good meal! I was surprised just how close the flavor was to non-AIP examples I've had in the past. My wife also enjoyed it and she is quite picky about sauces... so, well done!

    The one issue was that the chicken was sort of slimy... I'm wondering if I could substitute a thicker flour, like Cassava Flour? Something with a crispier texture?

    Reply

    • Arika | FoodCourage says

      Hey Mike, Thanks for the feedback! Yes, cassava flour should work in place of tapioca/arrowroot starch. I've used it to coat other meats in the past and had success with it. I can't say how crispy it'll be since it's not going to be dipped in egg or anything but it should have less of a slimy texture. Another possible thing to try: I have seen 1 tsp of baking powder added to chicken wing recipes to make them crispy. Note baking powder is not AIP compliant. However, you can use an AIP recipe for baking powder like this one. I'd maybe try adding 1 tsp of AIP baking powder + replace the tapioca starch with cassava and then follow the rest of the recipe as is.

      Reply

      • Mike says

        Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (6)
        Tried cassava flour and it was perfect. It wasn't crispy but it was sort of firm without becoming slimy.

        Also cut down to 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar because the sauce became too "sweet". Now it's just right. One time, I had some extra scallions, so chopped some up and it added just a little nice extra flavor to the sauce.

        This recipe has gone into the weekly rotation!

        Reply

        • Arika | FoodCourage says

          That's great to hear!! Thanks so much following up. It's helpful to hear how different variations turn out.

          Reply

Leave a Reply

Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free) (2024)

FAQs

What is a non alcoholic substitute for Marsala wine in chicken Marsala? ›

Nonalcoholic option, White Grape Juice: For every 1/2 cup of Marsala wine, use 1/4 cup of white grape juice mixed with 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Does Marsala wine have gluten? ›

Marsala Wine is gluten free. Marsala Wine should be safe for patients with celiac and other gluten-related disorders.

What to serve with chicken marsala? ›

Photo Credit: Canva.
  • Rice. Rice is a classic, gluten-free side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken Marsala. ...
  • Risotto. For a classic Italian side dish, consider risotto, a creamier alternative to plain rice. ...
  • Egg Noodles. ...
  • Angel Hair Pasta. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles. ...
  • Polenta. ...
  • Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Boursin Hasselback Potatoes.
Mar 17, 2023

Which Marsala wine is best for chicken marsala? ›

For cooking savory dishes like this one, use a secco (dry), fine (aged one year) ambra or oro Marsala.

What is a good alternative to Marsala? ›

What can I use instead of marsala wine? The best substitute for marsala wine is madeira, another kind of fortified wine with a similar flavour profile. Other alternatives include other fortified wines such as commandaria, sherry, vermouth, and port.

Can I use vinegar instead of Marsala wine? ›

White Grape and Sherry Vinegar. If you are looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for Marsala wine, white grape juice is your best choice. However, it is best to mix in some sherry vinegar and vanilla extract to get that tasty Marsala flavor.

What wine is best for gluten-free? ›

Types of wines that are naturally gluten-free include Bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chianti, malbec, merlot, Moscato, pinot grigio, pinot noir, Port, riesling, rosé, sauvignon blanc, sherry, zinfandel and more. Sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco are also gluten-free.

Can you get gluten-free wine? ›

All commercially produced wine, spirits, cider and liqueurs are gluten-free because of the way the ingredients they use and the way they're made, even though some are made from gluten-containing grains. According to Coeliac UK, they can be included in a gluten-free diet.

Is oregano seasoning gluten-free? ›

Usually, yes. “Spice” or “spices” are naturally gluten free. Spices such as basil, oregano, and thyme may be listed collectively in an ingredients list as spice or spices; the ingredient list does not need to name each spice.

What's the difference between chicken piccata and Chicken Marsala? ›

While both chicken piccata and chicken Marsala are cooked in the same way, there are a few key differences between the two dishes. Chicken piccata isn't creamy. It's cooked with white wine, chicken broth, capers, and lemon juice. It's tangy and bright instead of rich and creamy.

Does the alcohol cook out of Chicken Marsala? ›

And in case you're worried, no, the sauce doesn't taste “alcoholic” at all. The Marsala wine is simmered rapidly to cook out most of the alcohol, leaving behind just the flavour.

Is dry or sweet Marsala better for Chicken Marsala? ›

Should you use sweet or dry Marsala in your Chicken Marsala recipe? It doesn't make a huge difference, and either option will produce delicious results, but I would go for dry because the sweet Marsala has a bit too much sugar for such a savory dish.

Can I use red wine instead of Marsala for Chicken Marsala? ›

You could even try a potent dry red tossed in with a bit of sugar and an orange peel as a comparable substitute. “As long as the wine has a little bit of sugar and falls in the 15% to 20% alcohol range, it's going to work in the dish,” Ziata says.

Can you drink Marsala wine or is it just for cooking? ›

Obviously by now you know that yes, you can drink Marsala wine. Remember, for cooking, you can use the younger, much less expensive variety. But for the best Marsala wine for drinking, you can splurge on the more expensive, aged stuff.

How long will Marsala wine keep once opened? ›

Due to the fortifying process, Marsala wine lasts 4-6 months after opening. Although it won't go bad if you keep it in the cupboard longer than six months after opening, it will start to lose its flavor and fragrance. It's best to store Marsala in a cool, dry place much like you would olive oil.

What is a dry Marsala wine? ›

Dry Marsala is typically used for savory entrées where it adds a nutty flavor and caramelization to beef tenderloin, mushrooms, turkey and veal. Sweet Marsala is typically used to make very sweet and viscous sauces. You'll commonly find it used in desserts such as zabaglione and main dishes with chicken or pork loin.

Can you use pinot grigio for chicken marsala? ›

She's got a recipe for Chicken Marsala that for some reason, tastes better with a glass of wine. We recommend both the Pinot Noir or our Pinot Grigio - Choose your Pinot! - Pan sauce should be done... now time to season! Serve immediately and enjoy!

Is Holland House Marsala cooking wine dry or sweet? ›

With a rich golden color and pleasing mild aroma, our Marsala offers a smooth, well-rounded, sweet wine taste with a hint of hazelnut that is versatile and ideal for cooking.

Can I use rum instead of Marsala? ›

Marsala wine can be added to the recipe, but other liquors are frequently substituted for it in both the coffee and the cheese mixture, including dark rum, Madeira, port, brandy, Malibu, or Irish cream and especially coffee-flavoured liqueurs such as Tia Maria and Kahlúa.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 5490

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.